Art and Design

Bachelor of Arts (Arts and Design)

The Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Design is a four-year studio-based degree that develops creative and technical skills across fine art, graphic design, interior design, fashion and textiles, photography, and digital media.

Students study drawing, painting, sculpture, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, photography, digital media, printmaking, fashion and textiles design, advertising design, interior architecture, and design history. The curriculum combines studio courses with theory modules, portfolio development, and exhibition practice.

Kenya's creative industry has expanded significantly, with demand for graphic designers, interior designers, fashion designers, photographers, and digital media artists in advertising agencies, design firms, media houses, fashion houses, and corporate communications departments.

The programme is delivered over eight semesters at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University. Both institutions have established art and design departments with studio facilities, practising artists as faculty, and exhibition programmes.

Graduates work as graphic designers, interior designers, fashion designers, photographers, illustrators, art teachers, museum educators, and creative entrepreneurs. Many establish freelance practices or design studios.

This programme suits students with creative aptitude, visual sensitivity, and interest in practical studio work. A portfolio of artwork may be required for admission. The ability to think creatively, work independently on studio projects, and develop technical proficiency across media is essential for professional success.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 243,950
Private, up to: Ksh 225,800
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Drawing and Painting
Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Design
Photography and Digital Media
Graphic Design and Advertising
Fashion and Textiles Design
Interior Architecture
Sculpture
Printmaking
History of Art and Design
Design Theory and Criticism

Modules

12 in the programme

Drawing and Painting Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Foundation course in observational drawing, perspective, colour theory, painting techniques, and the use of various drawing and painting media.
Two-Dimensional Design
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Principles of 2D design including composition, balance, contrast, rhythm, pattern, and the organisation of visual elements on a flat surface.
Three-Dimensional Design
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Principles of 3D design including form, volume, space, structure, and the use of materials such as clay, wood, metal, and plaster.
History of Art and Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Survey of art and design history from ancient to contemporary periods, with emphasis on African art traditions and modern design movements.
Photography and Digital Media
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Photographic techniques, digital imaging, image editing, and the use of digital cameras and software for creative visual production.
Graphic Design and Typography
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Principles of graphic design, typography, layout, logo design, and visual communication for print and digital media.
Fashion and Textiles Design
Year 2Semester 24 creditsElective
Fashion design principles, textile design, fabric printing, garment construction, and the fashion industry from concept to production.
Interior Architecture
Year 3Semester 14 creditsElective
Interior spatial design, material finishes, lighting design, furniture, and the functional and aesthetic aspects of interior environments.
Sculpture and Printmaking
Year 3Semester 14 creditsElective
Sculptural techniques using various materials and printmaking processes including relief, intaglio, and screen printing.
Advertising Design and Media
Year 3Semester 23 creditsElective
Advertising design principles, campaign development, brand communication, and the role of design in marketing and media.
Design Theory and Criticism
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Critical theory in art and design, design research methods, and the evaluation of design work through theoretical and contextual frameworks.
Final Year Studio Project and Exhibition
Year 4Semester 18 creditsCore
Comprehensive final-year studio project demonstrating mastery of chosen specialisation, culminating in a public exhibition and portfolio presentation.

Specialisations

Graphic Design and Advertising
Focus on visual communication, branding, advertising design, typography, layout, and digital media for print and screen-based applications.
Interior Design
Focus on interior spatial design, material finishes, lighting, furniture design, and the functional and aesthetic aspects of interior environments.
Fashion and Textiles Design
Focus on fashion design, textile design, garment construction, fabric printing, and the fashion industry from concept to production.
Fine Art and Painting
Focus on drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking as fine art practices, developing personal artistic expression and exhibition skills.
Photography and Digital Media
Focus on photographic techniques, digital imaging, visual storytelling, and the use of digital tools for creative media production.
Art Education
Focus on art teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and pedagogical approaches for art education in schools and community settings.

A day as a student

A typical day centres on the studio where students work on practical art and design projects under tutor guidance. Morning sessions cover design theory, art history, or technique demonstrations. Afternoons involve hands-on studio work in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, or digital design. Students frequently spend evenings in the studio refining projects, preparing portfolios, and setting up exhibitions.

The trade offs

In its favour

Studio-based curriculum develops practical creative skills and a professional portfolio essential for employment in the creative industry.
Kenya's growing creative economy offers diverse opportunities in graphic design, interior design, fashion, photography, and digital media.
Programme offered at established art departments with practising artists as faculty and exhibition programmes.
Graduates can pursue freelance practice, entrepreneurship, or employment in agencies, media houses, and corporate communications.

Against it

Creative industry careers often require building a portfolio and client base, which takes time and persistence.
Entry-level salaries are modest (KES 30,000–50,000/month), with significant income variation depending on employer and specialisation.
Studio courses require additional spending on art materials and equipment beyond tuition fees.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public153k to 244k

153k at Kenyatta University244k at University of Nairobi

Private226k to 226k

226k at Daystar University226k at Daystar University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN BA Design 243,950/yr; KU BA 153,000/yr; Daystar ~225,800/yr. Src: educationnewshub, daystar.ac.ke

Students can access HELB loans, county government bursaries, and university-specific scholarships and bursaries.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
County Government Bursaries
University Scholarships and Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students placed through KUCCPS in public universities.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Students from the respective county, applied through county education offices.
University Internal Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Needy students enrolled at the respective university, applied through the financial aid office.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ without Art and Design, but a portfolio of artworks must be presented before a department selection panel. KCSE C plain with a Diploma in Art and Design from a recognised institution. KACE with two principal passes, one in Art. A degree from a recognised university in a relevant field.

How you are assessed

4 components

Studio Projects and Portfolios
Coursework50% of the mark
Practical studio work assessed through project submissions, portfolio reviews, and critique sessions with tutors and visiting artists.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework15% of the mark
Written tests covering art and design history, theory, and technical knowledge of materials and processes.
Coursework Assignments
Coursework15% of the mark
Research papers, design briefs, and practical assignments assessed throughout each semester.
Final Exhibition and Examination
Examination20% of the mark
Final-year public exhibition of studio work and written examinations assessed by internal and external examiners.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University, both CUE-accredited public universities with established art and design departments.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Graphic Designer
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 60,000
Creates visual designs for branding, advertising, digital media, and print materials at advertising agencies, design firms, and corporate communications departments.
Interior Designer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000
Designs interior spaces for residential, commercial, and institutional clients, selecting materials, furniture, lighting, and spatial layouts.
Fashion Designer
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 65,000
Designs clothing and accessories for fashion houses, textile companies, or as independent entrepreneurs, from concept to production.
Photographer
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 60,000
Works as a commercial, editorial, or freelance photographer covering events, products, fashion, and corporate assignments.
Art Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 55,000
Teaches art and design at secondary schools or community art programmes after completing a PGDE and registering with the TSC.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as graphic designers, interior designers, fashion designers, photographers, illustrators, and art teachers, with many establishing freelance practices or design studios.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Photoshop
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard image editing and manipulation software for photo retouching, digital painting, and graphic design.
Adobe Illustrator
SoftwarePrimary
Vector graphics editor for logo design, illustration, typography, and scalable graphic creation.
Adobe InDesign
SoftwarePrimary
Desktop publishing software for layout design of magazines, brochures, books, and multi-page print and digital publications.
CorelDRAW
Software
Vector illustration and page layout software widely used in Kenyan design studios for print and digital design.
Autodesk AutoCAD
Software
CAD software used for interior design drawing, technical drafting, and spatial planning.
Wacom Intuos
Hardware
Graphics tablet for digital drawing, painting, and illustration, enabling natural pen input for creative work.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Art and Design degrees lead to unemployment.
Kenya's creative economy is growing, with demand for graphic designers, interior designers, fashion designers, and digital media artists in agencies, media houses, and corporate communications.
You need to be naturally talented to study art and design.
While natural aptitude helps, the programme teaches technical skills, design principles, and creative methodologies. Dedication and practice are more important than raw talent.
Art and design is only about making things look pretty.
Design involves problem-solving, user research, communication strategy, and functional considerations. Art and design professionals address real-world challenges through creative thinking.
You cannot make a good living as an artist in Kenya.
Successful designers, illustrators, and creative entrepreneurs in Kenya earn competitive incomes. Freelance designers and studio owners can earn significantly above average salaries.
Digital tools have replaced traditional art skills.
Digital tools are an extension of traditional skills. Strong foundations in drawing, composition, and colour theory remain essential for digital design work.